Who's ready to race!!

"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Today we are here to watch one of the most important races in all history, the Citrate Cycle 5000. The race will occur in all cells in the human body to act as a qualifier for the next race the ETC 6000. A large thank you goes out to Sir Hans Adolf Kreb for sponsoring this race with your energy efficient company and research regarding cellular respiration. Now team, let's get down to the racetrack to meet the racers!".  

Let's win this thing!

We got this!

Hi my name is Pyruvate 1 and this is my identical twin brother Pyruvate 2. Today we will be participating in this fast paced cyclic race. We are excited to win the grand prize and advance to the winding folds of the ETC race. Before we begin we must go to the registration table, called the Pyruvate oxidation centre. Here we will be getting ready to enter the race, ensuring each driver follows the proper protocol and dresses appropriately. 

Pyruvate Oxidation Centre 

Hello Sir. I can help you over here!

In order to enter the race each driver must have a mitochondrial pass. This gives the driver access to the race track. The admission fee to enter the race is a carbon dioxide molecule and electrons. This electron cost goes to an NAD+ pit crew staff. The receptionist announces, "The addition of an electron to an NAD+ pit crew staff now and throughout the race will accumulate to bonus points in the ETC 6000 race, so get that head start." The driver is now given a vehicle called an orgo-mobile. The vehicle received is called Acetyl-CoA. This car is registered and has ACCESS to the race. 

Matrix 

NAD+

NAD+

FAD+

All drivers must be aware of the course they will partake in. The course is a large circular track. The starting point of the race is called the Matrix.  This is where all racers will line up their orgo-mobiles. There are several pit stops stationed along the course. These pit stops have the NAD+ staff and the FAD+ staff for emergency purposes. 

All orgo-mobiles have entered the appropriate lane. The race will soon begin as drivers must wait for the gun to kickstart the race. The announcer begins to speak, " Drivers the race is soon to begin. The rules consist of completing one whole lap around the racetrack. Time will be deducted from your final time based on the amount of electrons and carbon dioxide molecules released as the race proceeds. Bonus points will be accumulated for the generation of ATP. On your mark, get set, OXIDIZE!

Hitching system, Activated!!!

The race has begun and the orgo-mobiles are off. In order to increase the energy inputted into the vehicle the hitching system is activated. This means that each orgo-mobile can add a special molecule to their vehicle. The molecule is a bright yellow colour. Inserting the citrate synthase key on the left side of the steering wheel activates this function. The acetyl-CoA vehicle activates the Oxoacetate molecule in order to increase driving speed. The orgo-mobile has transformed to the Citrate C1-mobile. This vehicle is bigger and stronger with a higher POTENTIAL to win the race!

Hi, my name is enzyme!

Hello, I'm substrate!

In order to activate the hitching system a specific key must be inserted into the Citrate Synthase key holder. Without this specific key the system will be ineffective. The connection of lock to key causes the vehicle to reach a certain speed more efficiently, using less gas. Without this system it will be harder to have the fastest race time. The lock is called the enzyme who has an active site. The key is called the substrate, the molecule binding to the enzyme. The orgo- mobile has the citrate synthase enzyme which provides the binding site for the other molecules. 

A!

The Citrate C1 vehicle is a highly advanced sports mobile. Key features to the new model include the ability to switch gears. The faster gear of the vehicle is represented by a large A. This stands for the Aconitase gear. The vehicle is now considered the Isocitrate C1 mobile. Switching the gears of the car allows the car to maintain stability. This shift causes a smoother drive along the racing course.  

NAD+

NAD+

NAD+

NAD+

CO2

The isocitrate C1 mobile is in need of a pit stop. The pit stop station is called the Isocitrate Dehydrogenase station. This is where alterations to the vehicle occur to increase effectiveness in the race.    During the pit stop a tire change will occur. This tire change results in the waste of a carbon dioxide molecule, adding to time deductions at the finish line. Each pit stop has a cost of one electron. All planned pit stops result in an electron transfer to the NAD+ pit staff.  After modification of the tires the vehicle can be called the Alpha-Ketoglutarate transformer mobile.

Co-A

Quickly grab the gas we are running out of time! 

The Alpha-Ketoglutarate transformer mobile has to take another pit stop. This pit stop station is called the Alpha-Ketoglutarate Dehydrogenase station. A carbon dioxide molecule is lost as another tire change must occur. An electron has also been transferred to the NAD+ pit stuff. The vehicle has used a large amount of fuel, therefore a special type of gas is inserted into the car. This gas is called Co-A. This input of energy will result in a net gain when expended. Due to the fuel addition the mobile is called the Succinyl-CoA power machine. 

Help, my vehicle has shut down!